Improving the sustainability of animal farming across the UK and Europe

A consortium of 22 academic, industry and private enterprise organisations from 11 countries – led from Newcastle University, is increasing the sustainability of animal farming at a time of increasing demand.

The global requirement for animal-derived protein will increase by 50% over the next 40 years, according to projections from the United Nations. Sustainable farming will be essential to meet this global demand for safe, high-quality food, at an affordable price, while making the best possible use of natural resources.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health 30% of food production is already lost due to diseases occurring at farm-level. This new project, awarded nearly €12 million of funding, is bringing together experts in veterinary science, economics, genetics and nutrition, farming and animal welfare to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of intensive pig and poultry farming in Europe.

It draws its members from the UK, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Switzerland. With broad expertise and geographic representation, it is ideally positioned to address the scientific challenges involved, derive meaningful data, evaluate and test interventions and share these outcomes with farmers across Europe.